Dancer Looking at the Sole of Her Right Foot (Third State) 1885 - 1920

Editor: So, this is Degas' bronze sculpture, "Dancer Looking at the Sole of Her Right Foot," dating from between 1885 and 1920. There’s something so wonderfully casual about it, like catching a fleeting moment. It feels intimate, less about the grand performance, and more about the solitary practice. What catches your eye in this piece? Curator: Intimate is a wonderful word for it. For me, it's like stumbling upon a private ritual, almost voyeuristic. Degas wasn't just showing us a dancer; he was inviting us into her physical world. It’s bronze, but it feels… malleable, almost like we can still see his fingerprints in the clay. Do you see how the pose itself speaks volumes about balance, both physical and perhaps emotional? Editor: Absolutely! It's incredible how much movement he captures in a static object. It's off-kilter, dynamic. It is about the strain and control necessary for ballet. How does this fit into the larger context of Degas’ work? Curator: Degas was obsessed, utterly and completely, with dancers. This particular piece is one of many that offer an unidealized perspective. It feels deeply observed, respectful, but never fawning. Degas, being Degas, offers truth over beauty. The rawness invites contemplation. Do you get a sense of the artist behind it, Editor? What is he trying to share with us about dance as labor and perseverance? Editor: Yes, it definitely challenges the romanticized image. The effort is palpable. That really reframes how I see Degas, it’s a dance between form and feeling. Curator: Exactly, that’s where Degas surprises me. Form meets something primal; almost like magic!